SUNDOWNS BEAT POLOKWANE 2-0
Mamelodi Sundowns recorded their first win of the 2018/19 Absa Premiership season when they beat Polokwane City 2-0 at the Peter Mokaba Stadium in Polokwane on Tuesday.
The victory took the Brazilians to second spot on the league standings, while Rise and Shine moved down to 16th place.
The Brazilians dominated possession in the early stages of the game and they looked to unsettle Rise and Shine’s defence.
City goalkeeper George Chigova was called into action just six minutes into the game by Sundowns wing-back Thapelo Morena.
The former South Africa under-23 international beat his marker, before making a cross which was well-saved by Chigova.
However, the Zimbabwean goalkeeper was beaten in the 18th minute by Ricardo Nascimento, who scored his second goal in as many games.
The Brazilian defender, who netted against Kaizer Chiefs over the weekend, beat Chigova with a quality header to make it 1-0 to Sundowns.
Sundowns centre forward Jeremy Brockie was causing havoc for the Rise and Shine with his movement upfront.
Gaston Sirino decided to try his luck from range in the 36th minute and the Sundowns attacker’s effort was well-saved in the Polokwane defence.
The visitors suffered a blow towards the halftime break as their No 1 goalkeeper Denis Onyango went down injured.
The Uganda international was then replaced by Zambian goalkeeper Kennedy Mweene on the stroke of halftime.
The score was 1-0 to Sundowns at the interval with visitors having dominated the first half.
Sundowns continued their dominance in the second-half, with Polokwane struggling to cope with the visitors’ pace and movement.
The Brazilians managed to double their lead in the 53rd minute following a good move by the defending league champions.
Lyle Lakay whipped a cross for Lebohang Maboe, who scored his first goal for Sundowns with a header to make it 2-0 to the Brazilians.
Rise and Shine tried to push for at least two late goals and ensure that the game ended in a 2-2 draw.
However, the home side struggled to penetrate the Sundowns defence which was marshalled by Nascimento
Ultimately, Sundowns emerged 2-0 winners over Polokwane on the night.
Polokwane 0
Sundowns 2
Nascimento 18′, Maboe 53′
Polokwane: Chigova, Kalake (Tlolane 77′), Ravhuhali, Motloung, Mbonani, Seabi, Ramagalela, Phiri (Sikhondze 58′), Mngomezulu, Maluleke, Wagaba (Musona 62′).
Sundowns: Onyango (Mweene 45’+6), Lakay, Morena, Nascimento, Madisha, Mabunda, Sirino (Langerman 84′), Manyisa, Zwane, Maboe, Brockie (Meza 69′).
